Coach plans to bring UH ‘down to earth’ quickly after big win

The University of Houston won't have much time to celebrate Thursday night's 67-62 upset over Cincinnati.

The Cougars have five games remaining in the regular season, beginning Sunday with a tough road matchup against Temple.

"The coach in me knows we have five games left and (Friday's) practice is important to get ready for Temple," Sampson said after the Cougars notched their biggest win in 22 years. "The worry wart in me knows from the time they leave me tonight until the time I see them tomorrow, they're going to have a million people tell them how great they are and pat them on the back. Then I'm going to get them down to earth. We have a game Sunday."

Entering Thursday, UH (20-5, 10-3 American Athletic Conference) was considered an NCAA Tournament team by all the major national bracket projections and likely assured them an at-large spot with its second top-10 win this season.

As expected, the latest bracket projections Friday morning were impressed with the Cougars.

University of Houston Rob Gray talks with coach Kelvin Sampson during game against the University of Cincinnati at Texas Southern University Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in Houston.

University of Houston Rob Gray talks with coach Kelvin Sampson during game against the University of Cincinnati at Texas Southern University Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in Houston.

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

Image
1of/19

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 19

University of Houston Rob Gray talks with coach Kelvin Sampson during game against the University of Cincinnati at Texas Southern University Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in Houston.

University of Houston Rob Gray talks with coach Kelvin Sampson during game against the University of Cincinnati at Texas Southern University Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in Houston.

CBS Sports has the Cougars listed as a No. 8 seed in the South Region, facing No. 9 Alabama in Detroit. BracketWAG, which is used by USA Today, has the Cougars as a No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region with a opening matchup against No. 8 Florida in Pittsburgh.